SAIPAN — The Division of Environmental Quality has issued a red-flag advisory for three locations along Saipan’s west coast after weekly testing found bacteria levels exceeding CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards, and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of those sites for the next 48 hours or until cleared.
The flagged locations are Central Repair (WB 08), DPW Channel (WB 10) and AMP Drainage (WB 12.1).
DEQ said samples from the sites contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria known as enterococci, which can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. The division noted, however, that studies have shown stormwater runoff in tropical environments may also carry these bacteria from the natural environment, where they may not be directly tied to public health concerns. The red-flag advisory is issued to address potential public health risks.
The advisory was part of weekly monitoring by the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, which analyzed marine recreational and storm drainage water samples from 38 locations along Saipan’s west coast.
Marine Water Quality Reports are posted at www.deq.gov.mp/beach-advisories.html. The bureau encouraged the public to direct questions about beach water quality to its office at 670-664-8500.
